A video showcasing some surprising findings during an inspection of a $1.6 million five-bedroom luxury home in Charlotte, North Carolina, has gone viral on TikTok.
The clip was posted by licensed home inspector Andrew Matson (@andrew.matson7) and has amassed over 1.1 million views since it was shared on November 23 last year.
Matson, 29, is the owner of Pillar to Post Home Inspections—The Matson Team and has been in the business for a decade. He told Newsweek: "I was hired by the people buying the home to assess all the defects within the house and give them a better idea on all that's needed to repair the major issues so it's a safe, livable home that doesn't have to worry about deterioration, primarily from exterior moisture intrusion."
Speaking to Newsweek, Matson shared insights into the shocking state of the newly built home, which was constructed just two years ago. The home, which comes with a detached two-car garage, was built from the ground up without any existing foundation from a previous structure, he noted.
The viral post comes as U.S. homeowners face soaring housing costs. Millions of potential homebuyers have been "priced out of the market by elevated home prices and interest rates," according to a 2024 report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Home-price increases were reported in 97 of the top 100 markets, with higher rises in the Northeast and Midwest regions.
The TikTok clip opens with Matson pointing out corroding steel lintels, which are structural supports placed above windows and other openings to sustain the building's weight. "As it corrodes, it expands and that leads to brick cracking," Matson explains in the clip, while showing viewers the deteriorating exterior.
Further into the inspection, Matson highlights additional red flags. He shows a corner of the roof with visible cracks in the brick, saying: "I don't know what's going on there, that's not good." Inside the home, he finds that a bathroom exhaust vent is disconnected, window seals are deteriorating, and a damaged window screen needs replacement.
One of the most concerning issues Matson uncovers is a loose staircase railing, which he explains is due to shifting bricks. As he tugs on the wobbly railing, he says: "The brick is moving," indicating potential structural concerns. He also finds problems with the rear sliding door, where the locks won't disengage. "Something's jacked up here," he comments while struggling with the door handle.
The video continues to reveal more surprises. Matson checks under a sink and discovers that its disposal is clogged. After trying to fix it, he notes: "There's something stuck inside there." He also shows a door that bumps into a floor air register, a toilet with a visibly dirty bowl, and loose trim around a front door before discovering that the doorbell doesn't work either.
Despite these issues, Matson acknowledges the home's aesthetic appeal, panning across an all-white kitchen with marble countertops, but points out a pantry door with visible stains.
One of the most alarming findings comes when Matson shows gaps in the marble shower's corners, warning of potential water damage due to improper sealing. He also spots structural damage to roof trusses, saying: "and what would this report be without some structural damage to our roof trusses?" The video shows a wooden beam partially detached from its framework.
Is This Home Worth the $1.6 Million Price Tag?
Matson explained to Newsweek that many of the issues in the home stem from subpar workmanship. "It's not necessarily normal for all those issues, but that's what happens when you go for the lowest bidders when selecting your subs [subcontractors]. The worst of everything had to do with the roof/flashing and all the places water had easy access points to penetrate the home," he said.
Matson noted, however, that the $1.6 million price tag is actually a good deal for the area, and the buyers—who have extensive construction knowledge—were well-suited to take on the repairs.
Kevin Bazazzadeh, the owner of Brilliant Day Homes, a real estate investment company in Houston, Texas, told Newsweek that "from what the video showed, there were mainly issues with some poor finish work and potential for water penetration due to improper sealing and flashing."
Bazazzadeh estimated that exterior repairs, such as fixing cracked bricks and sealing water entry points, could cost a few thousand dollars. Interior repairs, including resealing the bathroom tiles, might range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the extent of damage.
Real estate investor Brian Rudderow of HBR Colorado also weighed in, comparing the property to a similar situation he encountered in Denver. "The investor hired really bad subcontractors, and all of the work they did had to be ripped out and redone," he said. Rudderow estimated that the repairs for the Charlotte home in the viral clip could cost around $200,000, potentially raising its post-repair value to $2 million.
While Matson's video highlights a litany of issues, Bazazzadeh cautioned that unseen problems could drive up repair costs. "The worst would be if it has bad bones—there's a cracked foundation or poor framing. The costs could climb significantly, and it may not be as obvious upfront. Here the cost would easily go into the tens of thousands," Bazazzadeh said.
Despite the extensive repairs needed, Bazazzadeh emphasized that the value of the property ultimately depends on the local real estate market. "If similar houses in the area are selling for $1.7 million or higher, the home might still be a good buy at $1.6 million, even with the necessary repairs—assuming there are no major underlying issues. However, if similar homes are priced at $1.6 million or less, then it's likely overpriced," he noted.
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